I hope and pray that Rush can kick this. If he's in constant, severe pain his addiction is understandable. I have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, and until recently had days where I literally could not breath because my ribcage hurt so much. I spent one five-day period lying on the floor literally unable to move.
Fortunately the pain fluctuated enough that it was possible for me to avoid long term use of pain medication. I tried Vicodin once. It wasn't worth it. The side effects were horrible. I was in a complete haze. But I can understand how someone could get addicted to it. You don't fully appreciate chronic pain until you live with it yourself.
The good news is that in the last several years some new genetically-engineered drugs have come onto the market. These drugs have minimal side-effects, and with regular use I can function normally. I now play soccer on a weekly basis, lift weights, etc. without any significant pain. Thank God.
Good news. For future reference, should I have need, I'd appreciate the names of the new drugs. Hopefully I'll never have need, but...
My mother made no sense at all on Demerol, after thigh surgery. I wouldn't want that confusion.